Astros vs Dodgers Free Pick, MLB Free Picks, MLB Predictions 7/5/25

HOUSTON @ LA DODGERS (-145, 8.5)

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Astros vs Dodgers Free Pick, MLB Free Picks, MLB Predictions 7/5/25

ASTROS @ DODGERS 7/5/25

The AL West division-leading Houston Astros (53-35) and Los Angeles Dodgers (56-33) will square off in the second game of a three-game series tonight. The Astros dominated the first game of this series, winning 18-1 on Friday night. This is the only series between these teams this season. Framber Valdez (2.72 ERA) will start for Houston, while Shohei Ohtani (2.75 ERA) will start for Los Angeles.

With a commanding lead and an 18-1 final in the opening game of this series, the Houston Astros made it clear they would not be a pushover. Houston is seven games ahead of the Mariners, who are in second place in the AL West. The Astros have won four of their previous five games. The Astros dominated the opening game of this series with ten runs in the sixth inning. Jose Altuve had two home runs and five RBIs in the victory.

This season, Altuve, their veteran second baseman, has moved out to left field. Along with dropping from first to third in the lineup, he has hit 13 home runs and has 39 RBIs so far this season. Altuve has played all 11 seasons of his career with the Astros.

On Friday, Isaac Parades, who was in the leadoff position, also hit a home run. It was his 18th home run and his 48th RBI of the year. Parades is the team's leader in both areas. Christian Walker also recorded four RBIs, bringing his season total to 43 RBIs and 11 home runs.

Framber Valdez, a 31-year-old left-hander, will start for the 18th time this season. Even though his record is 9–4, the team has won each of his last ten starts. He has 108 strikeouts against 39 walks and an ERA of 2.72. Valdez pitched six scoreless innings in a victory over the Cubs in his most recent start.

The Dodgers are not often embarrassed, but they were humiliated in the opening game of this series, losing 18-1. When they gave up ten runs in the sixth inning, the wheels really came off. Will Smith's solo home run, his 12th, was the only run the Dodgers scored during the game. Smith is hitting .330, which is third in MLB and he has 45 RBIs. With an eight-game lead over the Padres in second place, they continue to dominate their division. In Friday's loss, the Dodgers' pitching staff allowed 20 hits.

Ohtani gets another start on the mound. He probably won’t pitch more than two innings. He’s only pitched more than one inning once and that was in his last start against Kansas City. At the plate, Ohtani leads the Dodgers with 30 home runs. Andy Pages leads the Dodgers in RBIs with 58 while hitting .289 with 17 homers.

Once Ohtani is done, the pitching burden falls to the Dodgers bullpen. LA relievers haven’t been anything special this season with an ERA of 4.16. That ranks 22nd in MLB and we saw some how poor the Dodgers bullpen can be in last night’s big loss.

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SHOHEI OHTANI UNDER 1.5 STRIKEOUTS

Ohtani will likely throw about 25-30 pitches in this game. That might get him to the second inning. He made 27 pitches in his last start against Kansas City and pitched two innings. Houston does not strike out often. The Astros rank fifth in the majors with just 7.65 strikeouts per game. In last night’s Houston win, the Astros whiffed just five times. Ohtani has only gone Over 1 strikeout once in his three starts.